Leh to Srinagar Bus Service – Fare, Schedule & How to Book

Continuing from the previous article where I talked about the bus between Srinagar and Ladakh; in this article I will provide details on the reverse route of this same service, the Leh to Srinagar Bus. Even though people prefer to travel by their own vehicle, completing this journey by Bus too is a different kind of experience in my opinion. It is a great choice if you were traveling on a strict budget; or with your family. If you have been to Ladakh before and have been thinking about a second trip; maybe you can think about going there by Bus, just to add a different perspective to the journey.

Leh to Srinagar Bus Service

There are two types of buses available to travel between Leh and Srinagar. The first one is a government run bus; operated by Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation. The other buses available are by private tour operators. The JKSRTC Buses are a mix of luxury, semi deluxe and ordinary. Private tour operators mostly provide semi-deluxe mini buses.

JKSRTC Bus From Leh to Srinagar

There are three different kind of buses offered by JKSRTC on this route. One is MCV, 19 and 14 seaters which are full luxury buses. The second one is a deluxe bus and the last one being a semi deluxe. There could also be an ordinary bus which will be the least comfortable of all but cheapest as well. The ordinary bus may or may not be available but the MCV, Deluxe and Semi Deluxe bus is a daily service.

Leh to Srinagar Bus Fare

Bus Fare from Leh to Srinagar per person is Rs. 1,300 for an MCV Luxury Bus, Rs. 919 for a Deluxe bus and Rs. 737 for s Semi – Deluxe. Ordinary Bus if available would cost around Rs. 500 per person. Source: JKSRTC

Where to Board the Bus

You can board this bus from the main bus stand at Leh.

Leh to Srinagar Bus Timings

This bus starts at 2 PM from Leh; runs non-stop with very few breaks; and arrives at Srinagar the next day at 7.30 AM after a journey of about 18 hours.

Leh to Srinagar Bus Booking

You will have to buy your ticket for this bus at least a day in advance; or at least in the morning; a few hours before the journey. There is no other booking system available and you cannot buy a ticket for more than a day in advance.

Leh to Srinagar Volvo Bus

There is no Volvo between Srinagar to Leh, just the MCV by JKSRTC which is as good as a Volvo.

Leh to Srinagar Bus in April

This bus is not available in the month of April. It becomes operational only by May when Zojila has been freed from snow and declared safe for a bus to ply by the authorities.

Leh to Srinagar via Bus

If the 18 hours long non-stop journey seems a bit tiring then there are other options that you can consider for this journey. You can try contacting the local travel agents and see if they have a bus available on the route that does the journey in 2 days. Best way however would be to do so yourself. There are daily buses and shared taxis available between Leh – Kargil and Kargil – Srinagar. My suggestion would be that you catch an early morning bus from Leh towards Kargil and stay for the night there. Next day, catch the daily morning bus from Kargil bus stand and arrive at Srinagar by evening.

The same routine you can follow by shared cabs as well. These starts from Leh bus stand itself. Board a shared cab from Leh to Kargil and then catch one from Kargil to Srinagar.

This way you would complete this journey in 2 days at a relaxed pace and not rushed through it all the way.

Leh to Srinagar Bus

I hope the informaton above on Leh to Srinagar Bus service was of help. If you need any other information; or have any questions; please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to answer.

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Not much to write about me really except for that I love to travel around whenever I can and to wherever I can. This blog is just a small attempt to share my travel experiences with the world. Hope you like it !!!

11 comments

SandeepAugust 13, 2018 - 10:19 am

Hello,

My wife and I are planning our vacations this year, in November, in India.

We are from Mauritius and wish to do the following road trip :
1. Delhi to Shimla
2. Shimla to Manali
3. Manali to Leh
4. Leh to Srinagar
5. Srinagar to Delhi (by flight)

I needed some advise concerning road trips. This is our first visit to India and are looking forward for this vacation to be one of the best 🙂

We still have so many questions left unanswered:
1. Can we hire a car and rely on Google maps from Delhi-Shimla-Manali-Leh-Srinagar ?
2. Or would a taxi or coach be a better option compared to hiring a taxi ?
3. As to what I have seen, Leh to Srinagar is around 10hrs by car. Wouldn’t it be too much time spent on the roads?
4. Are these routes safe?

hi will travel to leh on july. but i want to hire a taxi from leh srinagar but stay 1 night in kargil.
1. do you know where i can hire a taxi in leh?
2. do i need to book it online or i can just walk in?
3. and the price taxi is around that price you mentioned above? there is possible if the taxi driver will charge me more than price that you mentioned above. thanks.

Hello – Please take to Nasir in Leh @ 9906229203. He runs his own taxi there. Give him a call and book him if he is available. If not then he can direct you to someone else who is good. Give my reference and he will quote you a reasonable price and will not charge more.

Hi
We are 9 ppl . We are reaching Srinagar by flights and having night stay in Srinagar and start to Leh
1) can we get a vehicle after reaching Srinagar for a cheaper price or should I book it prior
2) should I book accomodation in Kargil or can I get cheaper accomodation after reaching Kargil
3) we are taking bikes in leh
And reach pangong. Can I rent tents in leh and camp some where near pangong
4) with the same tents can I camp somewhere near tso moriri
5) can I get a vehicle from Leh to Srinagar in the evening times. Which should reach Srinagar by next day morning.

1. By vehicle from Sriangar, you mean a taxi, motorcycle or public transport?
2. No need to book
3. Do not self camp at Pangong, stay at an existing camp site
4. At Tso Moriri you can but check with the locals before you pitch your tent. Do it near an existing dhaba or camp site
5. You can try for a shared cab but it would be tough.

Please let me know, are there any taxies oeprating from Leh to Srinagar and if hired and start in the morning, when can they reach srinagar. We are planning a trip to Leh by July end and intend to go to Srinagar on 1st of Agust. Pl reply